Betty White is honored by celebrity friends after she dies weeks before 100th birthday

Our national treasure': Betty White is honored by celebrity friends including Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis after Golden Girls star dies just weeks before 100th birthday
TV icon passed away Friday aged 99, weeks before milestone 100th birthday
Celebrities flooded social media with tributes following the sad news
Stars such as Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis and Debra Messing tweeted
Many marveled at White's 80-year-long career in Hollywood

Betty White has passed away at the age of 99 just three weeks ahead of her milestone 100th birthday, and the news has sent shockwaves through Hollywood.

Celebrities began to flood social media with tributes for the legendary TV icon, who is said to have died at her home on Friday.

She was not battling any particular ailments and did not have a sudden illness, a source close to the star told TMZ.

Stars such as Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Viola Davis, Debra Messing and Diane Kruger paid their respects on Twitter following the news.

Betty White tributes: Celebrities react to TV icon passing away at 99... days before her milestone 100th birthday (Pictured above in 2010)

Reynolds, who had just been joking with White over social media a day prior, posted a picture to his Instagram of the actress.

'The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We'll miss you, Betty,' he wrote.

Bullock, who costarred with Reynolds and White in the 2009 romantic comedy The Proposal, bid farewell to the legendary comic actress in a brief interview with People.


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'I don't drink vodka … but I will tonight, on ice, with a slice of lemon with a hot dog on the other side and just be okay being sad,' she said, referencing one of White's favorite drink and food combinations. 'I'll have to buy some rose-colored glasses because Betty was that for all of us.'

She had previously called the late actress a 'loving, decent, optimistic, inclusive, hilarious human being' in a tribute for the publication that would have coincided with White's upcoming 100th birthday.

'Timing isn't easy in comedy, because you have to navigate other people's timing. Betty pivots like I have never seen, making it look seamless,' Bullock continued. 'The rest of us just remain silent and pray we're not cut out of the scene.'
Star Trek actor George Takei wrote: 'Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday.'
Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren said: 'A few yrs ago at an animal charity event I bid on a day at the zoo with Betty White.'

'Not only was she a legend but a fierce advocate for animal rights. Both the humans and the animals are so sad today Betty.'

Just a few days ago - in an interview about her upcoming centennial year - White said she was 'so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age'.

White was last seen in public running errands with her driver just the day before her birthday 98th birthday. She was seen sporting a turquoise floral blouse, matching pants and tiny black heels and flashed a smile for the camera as she wore a bold red lip.

Shortly after, she began limiting contact with others to avoid contracting COVID-19. Last year, when the virus first surged, she said she was 'relaxing through her quarantine' at her residence in Los Angeles.

The star's essential errands, like groceries, were being taken care of for her so she wouldn't have to leave her house. Additionally, she was 'only coming in contact with people being equally cautious of the virus' and respected her state's stay-at-home orders.

'Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly.'

Talk show host Seth Meyers said: 'RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.'

Bravo star Andy Cohen tweeted: 'Tonight we will raise MANY glasses to the WONDERFUL legacy of Betty White!!!'

Getting emotional, actress Jennifer Love Hewitt posted a video of herself crying with the message: 'Heartbroken. My angel. My idol. My friend. I miss you already.'

The pair starred in the 2011 Hallmark film The Lost Valentine together and became fast friends.

In February this year, Hewitt revealed how they had enjoyed a drunken night out together.

'She's everything you want her to be and more,' Hewitt said on The Drew Barrymore Show. 'She's the best and I just love her to pieces.'